Author Archives

  • Economist Karl Case on Homeownership

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    Karl Case, a co-creator of the Case-Shiller home price index, writes in today’s New York Times on the state of homeownership: Depressing, yes — but the end of a dream? Not exactly. I have never quite understood what the American dream really means when it comes to housing. For some people, it means having a solid and fairly safe long-term… Read More ›

  • Homebuyer Tax Credit Totals

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    The Government Accountability Office has released a report tallying the number of homebuyers benefitting from the homebuyer tax credit. The numbers are still incomplete as the IRS continues to process submitted claims.  Further, some homebuyers will not claim the credit until the end of the 2010 tax season in April of 2011. Nonetheless, the current totals are as follows: 1… Read More ›

  • GSE Financial Report Highlights

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    The Federal Housing Finance Agency, the regulator for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, has published its first Conservators’ Report on the Enterprises’ Financial Condition. Future reports will be issued on a quarterly basis. Among the findings of the report: At the end of 2007, Fannie and Freddie held $71 billion in capital From the… Read More ›

  • Mortgage Bankers Association Report Offers Mixed News

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    The Mortgage Bankers Association released National Delinquency Survey statistics for the second quarter of 2010.  The delinquency rate – loans that are not in foreclosure with at least one payment late – fell from a seasonally-adjusted rate of 10.06% in the first quarter of 2010 to 9.85% in the second quarter. The 9.85% rate represents an increase of 61 basis… Read More ›

  • CBO Budget Update

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    As the debate concerning the future of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts heats up, the Congressional Budget Office has released an updated Budget and Economic Outlook.  This report provides projections of federal revenues and spending for the next 10 years. Under present law, on January 1, 2011 the top marginal income tax rate, paid by individuals and small businesses, increases from… Read More ›